Regulatory Matters	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Regulatory Matters [Abstract]
Regulatory Matters	Note 9 – Regulatory Matters On March 27, 2013, Distribution Corporation filed a plan (“Plan”) with the NYPSC proposing to adopt an “earnings stabilization and sharing mechanism” that would allocate earnings above a rate of return on equity of 9.96% evenly between shareholders and an accounting reserve (“Reserve”). The Reserve would be utilized to stabilize Distribution Corporation’s earnings and to fund customer benefit programs. The Plan also proposed to increase capital spending and to aid new customer system expansion efforts. Discussions were held with NYPSC staff and others with respect to the Plan. In a related development, on April 19, 2013, the NYPSC issued an order directing Distribution Corporation to either agree to make its rates and charges temporary subject to refund effective June 1, 2013, or show cause why its gas rates and charges should not be set on a temporary basis subject to refund (“Order”). The Order recognized Distribution Corporation’s Plan and determined that the Plan did not propose to adjust “existing rates . . . enough to compensate for the imbalance between ratepayer and shareholder interests that has developed since . . . 2007 . . .” Pursuant to the Order, the NYPSC commenced a “temporary rate” proceeding and, following hearings, on June 14, 2013, the NYPSC issued an order making Distribution Corporation’s rates and charges temporary and subject to refund pending the determination of permanent gas rates through further rate proceedings. Exploratory discussions for settlement of Distribution Corporation’s rates and charges were commenced and are expected to continue as the formal case to establish permanent rates proceeds along a parallel path. In addition to authorizing a “temporary rate” proceeding, the Order also suggested an examination of the applicability of a provision of New York public utility law, PSL §66(20), that provides the NYPSC with stated authority to direct a refund of revenues received by a utility “in excess of its authorized rate of return for a period of twelve months.” On May 17, 2013, Distribution Corporation commenced an action in New York Supreme Court, Erie County, seeking the court’s declaration that PSL §66(20) is unconstitutional and enjoining the NYPSC from issuing any orders or rules under PSL §66(20) or making any attempts to otherwise enforce the statute. On June 20, 2013 and as anticipated, the NYPSC moved to dismiss Distribution Corporation’s complaint. Distribution Corporation is unable to predict the outcome of the proceedings at this time.

Note 9 – Regulatory Matters

On March 27, 2013, Distribution Corporation filed a plan (“Plan”) with the NYPSC proposing to adopt an “earnings stabilization and sharing mechanism” that would allocate earnings above a rate of return on equity of 9.96% evenly between shareholders and an accounting reserve (“Reserve”). The Reserve would be utilized to stabilize Distribution Corporation’s earnings and to fund customer benefit programs. The Plan also proposed to increase capital spending and to aid new customer system expansion efforts. Discussions were held with NYPSC staff and others with respect to the Plan.

In a related development, on April 19, 2013, the NYPSC issued an order directing Distribution Corporation to either agree to make its rates and charges temporary subject to refund effective June 1, 2013, or show cause why its gas rates and charges should not be set on a temporary basis subject to refund (“Order”). The Order recognized Distribution Corporation’s Plan and determined that the Plan did not propose to adjust “existing rates . . . enough to compensate for the imbalance between ratepayer and shareholder interests that has developed since . . . 2007 . . .” Pursuant to the Order, the NYPSC commenced a “temporary rate” proceeding and, following hearings, on June 14, 2013, the NYPSC issued an order making Distribution Corporation’s rates and charges temporary and subject to refund pending the determination of permanent gas rates through further rate proceedings. Exploratory discussions for settlement of Distribution Corporation’s rates and charges were commenced and are expected to continue as the formal case to establish permanent rates proceeds along a parallel path.

In addition to authorizing a “temporary rate” proceeding, the Order also suggested an examination of the applicability of a provision of New York public utility law, PSL §66(20), that provides the NYPSC with stated authority to direct a refund of revenues received by a utility “in excess of its authorized rate of return for a period of twelve months.” On May 17, 2013, Distribution Corporation commenced an action in New York Supreme Court, Erie County, seeking the court’s declaration that PSL §66(20) is unconstitutional and enjoining the NYPSC from issuing any orders or rules under PSL §66(20) or making any attempts to otherwise enforce the statute. On June 20, 2013 and as anticipated, the NYPSC moved to dismiss Distribution Corporation’s complaint. Distribution Corporation is unable to predict the outcome of the proceedings at this time.